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Afghans celebrate reaching first World Cup

Jubilant scenes in Kabul as the nation's cricket team qualifies for the 2015 World Cup, joining the sport's elite.

04 Oct 2013 19:05 GMT

The Afghan team won by seven wickets over Kenya to seal a place in the World Cup [EPA]

Celebrations erupted on the streets of Afghanistan after the national cricket team reached the World Cup for the first time.

The team beat Kenya by seven wickets in a limited overs match on Friday to seal their place in the 2015 tournament. The match was played in Sharjah in the UAE, the team's base for the last two years due to the war in Afghanistan.

The result sparked mass celebrations back home, with crowds on the streets of Jalalabad and jubilant fans in Kabul cheering and firing guns in celebration.

After the victory was secured, players performed a dance in front of their applauding supporters before rushing across the pitch holding an Afghan flag.

A big day

It is the first time Afghanistan has qualified for cricket's World Cup. "This is a big day in my life," all-rounder Mohammad Nabi said. "It's a gift to a young generation."

The match was part of the World Cricket League Championship, a feeder competition for the World Cup. Afghanistan and Ireland, the championship's winner, advance to the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.